Creating the Wanderlust - 30 Years of Family Travel

22Nov 2013 by David Kravetz

Creating the Wanderlust – 30 Years of Family Travel – Pt 3

Antsy McClain, Arizona, Arkansas, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Enchanted Highway, Family Travel, Georgia, Giant Things, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Musicians, Mythical Creatures, National Monuments, National Parks, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Route 66, South Carolina, Texas, Travel with grandchildren, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wisconsin

This is the last in my 3 part series on "Creating the Wanderlust" through family travel adventures. (see the other two Part 1 Part 2 ) After three weddings in 2005 I was fried...and, to top things off I had knee surgery later in the year, so there was no travel the rest of that year. In fact, I didn't take any trips until 2007 when I had a couple of big ones. These were with Solomon as Seth was off serving a Mormon mission in Utah. Then, since that time many of the trips from 2008 thru 2013 have included grandchildren in one way or another. It is wonderful to share these precious moments with my grandchildren as well as my now adult children.... In June 2007 my sister…

13Aug 2013 by David Kravetz

Car Art: Cars in art around the US

Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, Car Art, Cross Country Road Trips, Eateries, Giant Things, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Texas, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Washington

One of the more unique American traditions along the Less Beaten Paths is the recycling of auto parts for art. Indeed, a couple of the most famous roadside attractions in the US are made from cars. This post will look at a few pieces of "car art" that I have seen over the years and, then, at the end, I will note a few others that are out there and worth a visit from all of us -- some that I hope to get to over the next couple of years. Probably one of the two most famous Car Art pieces that I am aware of, this car shish-kabob called "Spindle" and created by artist Dustin Shuler (1948-2010), became ultra famous after being featured in Wayne's World. It has also…

22Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Flashback – Adventures in Southwestern Ontario: Oxford County

Backroads Discoveries, Eateries, Large Statues, Ontario, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, Walters Family Band, Wildflowers

Tobacco Barns in SW Ontario CanadaIn 2008 I spent about nine months working as a Japanese interpreter in Woodstock, Ontario at the new Toyota Plant that was being built there at the time. Over the course of that nine months I had many opportunities to visit dozens of places in rural Ontario and made my way to Toronto and some if the larger towns in the area around Toronto. I have posted a number of "Travel Journals" with extensive details about all of these visits on my Sumoflam Trip Journals site. Southwestern Ontario is centered on the city of London. It extends north to south from the Bruce Peninsula on Lake Huron to the Lake Erie shoreline, and east to south-west roughly from Guelph to Windsor. Other significant towns and…

12Jul 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam Flashback: JFK the Twine Ball Man of Lake Nebagamon, WI

Antsy McClain, Bucket List Trips, Cross Country Road Trips, Giant Things, Giant Twine Balls, People Shots, Roadside Attractions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Places, Wisconsin

In this Flashback Edition of Less Beaten Paths, I take you back to August 2007 when I visited with James Frank Kotera in the town of Highlands, near Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. Kotera, who just refers to himself as JFK -- the most famous JFK -- claims to have the world's largest ball of twine and my son and I had to see it. And trust me, it as an out of the way drive worth taking!! (Don't miss the video below!!!) View Larger Map - JFK, The Twine Ball Man -8009 S. Oakdale Rd., Lake Nebagamon, WI Exact directions: From Solon Springs, WI, go north on US 53 to Wisconsin Rd. L. Turn right on L and go all the way to Rd. P. Turn left on P and head…

07Jun 2013 by David Kravetz

South Dakota Backroads: The Oyate Trail across southern South Dakota

Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Birds, Bucket List Trips, Eateries, Edgar Cruz, Family Travel, Flowers, Found Metal Sculptures, Geologic Formations, Horses, Landscapes, Lewis and Clark Sites, Murals, National Parks, North Dakota, Pelicans, Place Names, prairie dogs, Roadside Attractions, South Dakota, Town Names, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places, US Highway 18, US Highway 83, Vintage Neon, Wall Art, Water Towers

Land of the Pheasants - southern South Dakota[/caption] In early April 2013 I had the opportunity to drive across the Hi-Line (US Route 2) in Northern Montana and then made our way to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore and all the across South Dakota to Mitchell and the Corn Palace. With another work trip to Idaho, I took a different route and, similar to the Hi-Line Drive, I mainly took US Route 18 (also known as the Oyate Trail) as it crosses most of South Dakota. It goes through many small and unique towns. [caption id="attachment_4002" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Oyate Trail[/caption] The Oyate Trail is a 388 mile route that generally follows SD 50 and US Route 18 across southern South Dakota. The name is derived from the Lakota word…

29May 2013 by David Kravetz

FOOD FOOD FOOD – Part 3: Donuts, Bakeries, Pies and other sweet places on Less Beaten Paths

Amish Country, Backroads Discoveries, Bakeries, Bucket List Trips, Eateries, Family Travel, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trinity Music Productions, Unique Eatery, Wisconsin

Voodoo Doughnut - Portland, Oregon[/caption] Ahh...now that the BBQ and Chicken Fried steaks are done, how about something sweet? Nothing like fresh donuts and pies!! But who needs the chains? How about some great independent bakeries and doughnut places? Every Picture Tells a Story, Doughnut? Voodoo Doughnut - Portland, Oregon [caption id="attachment_3540" align="aligncenter" width="384"] Voodoo Doughnut[/caption] Voodoo Doughnut is probably one of the most unique doughnut places in the world (not just the U.S.)!! Yes, they have amazing doughnuts, but they also have stained glass windows and even a wedding chapel. They have been featured on dozens of food and travel shows as well. And, by the way, make sure to bring cash if you want to eat. That is all they take. [caption id="attachment_3537" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Doughnuts at Voodoo[/caption]…

25Apr 2013 by David Kravetz

Sumoflam is Everywhere – A Photo Gallery

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Bridges, Bucket List Trips, City Skylines, Colorado, Horses, Missouri, North Dakota, Place Names, Route 66, South Carolina, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Wildflowers, Yard Art

Sumoflam and Thunderbirds in Bismarck, ND[/caption] Over the years I have taken nearly 30,000 photos of my travels and in most cases I have not been in the photos. Over the coming months I will add new galleries that are thematic. this is the first one. Enjoy!! [nggallery id=2] ]]>

16Feb 2013 by David Kravetz

A dream day – Kentucky Back Roads driving and then Tommyfest in E-town

Amish Country, Antsy McClain, Backroads Discoveries, BBQ Places, Eateries, Edgar Cruz, Family Travel, Farmland, Kentucky, Landscapes, Michael Kelsey, Musicians, Place Names, Post Offices, Roadside Attractions, Selfies, Tommy Emmanuel, Town Names, Trinity Music Productions, Unexpected Discoveries, Unique Eatery, Unique Places

Tommy Emmanuel, c.g.p. and Michael Kelsey courtesy of Marc Manning[/caption] Today (Feb. 15, 2013) was one of those delightful days when I got to enjoy most of my passions...mainly travel, photography and music. Ultimately, the main reason for the trip was to go to Elizabethtown to see Tommy Emmanuel and Michael Kelsey. But, I took the long way to do it. Following is a map with the stops I made. View Gravel Switch to E-Town in a larger map [caption id="attachment_1613" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Perryville Mural[/caption] I drove from Lexington thru Danville and then into Perryville. I made a quick drive through the old Merchant's Row area of Perryville. [caption id="attachment_1614" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Merchant's Row Plaque[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1616" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Severed Head Trading Post[/caption] After Perryville it…

13Feb 2013 by David Kravetz

I've Been Everywhere – Part IV: Just a few more fun signs

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Bucket List Trips, Colorado, Horses, Missouri, Place Names, Route 66, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Yard Art

Welcome to Mars[/caption] Perhaps Mars, Pennsylvania is the most famous of our planet named towns in the US. No one is sure how the name "Mars" came into being. Some say it was Samuel Park's wife, who enjoyed astronomy, and others aver that it might be shortened from Samuel Marshall's name. In any case, on March 6, 1895, Mars was incorporated as a borough. Residents of Mars are often called "Martians", or "Planets" because of the high school team name, The Fighting Planets. There are a number of other places in the U.S. named after planets. SenseList.com has a nice list of the many town names and place names. Of all of those on that list, perhaps the most well known would include Jupiter, FL, and Blue Earth, MN, which…

06Feb 2013 by David Kravetz

I've Been Everywhere – Part III: More Unique Town Signs

Arizona, Backroads Discoveries, Birds, Horses, Missouri, North Dakota, Place Names, Route 66, South Dakota, Squirrels, States and Provinces, Trinity Music Productions, Wildflowers

Rabbit Hash, KY[/caption] There are literally hundreds of fun town names around the U.S. and I have barely scratched the surface with them. In my last post, I noted many names that are common adjectives or descriptive. This post will have some signs from some of the more unusual place names and hopefully, a little about how the names came to be. [caption id="attachment_802" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Rabbit Hash, KY sign[/caption] Rabbit Hash, KY - This small town of about 40 people is right on the Ohio River in Boone County. Besides its name, it is also famous for its string of mayors...all dogs. Nobody really knows for sure when the original name of Rabbit Hash came to be. According to a Wikipedia article, " The hamlet was originally known as…

Category: Musicians